No way that can be fixed dude...
Sorry.....

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

You may not have any choice, thats a pretty big crack. The way they weld blocks is to put them in hot charcoal (just like a blacksmith) or in ovens to bring the block up to a weldable temperature. That is unless the welding materials and techniques have markedly improved.

Anyway, that means regardless its not something that anyone is going to try with the motor in the car and on the gearbox.

Something you may try. I bought a head for my own mini some time back and someone had tried to drill holes through it for the extra 1275 bolts. But... they got the holes and angles off centre. I used a $20 chemical alloy substance from a automotive outlet. It comes in a tube and you roll it together to form a paste and push it into the holes, cracks etc. It sets hard and two years later my head is still good.

You may get away with trying something like that and you need to do something because the engine will not last with that crack between the two cylinders. Frankly, putting a new head gasket on as it is will be a waste of time and money.

The chemalloy is a shonky repair that may or may not work and once it hardens it is metal. Should it dislodge and be blown into a cylinder while the engine is running it would be the same as dropping a nut through a spark plug hole - something is going to break. I dont know if it would withstand the pressures and temperatures of a combusting cylinder.

But it a thought
Mike

I've been down this path years ago when boring a 1098 Sprite out to 1220. The machine shop (Bert Jones Engines in Parramatta) said no way that can be fixed effectively, save the grief, find another block...
So we did.
It's way too hot in there for any adhesive to work.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Don't bother doing anything else with it, the block is RS time for a replacement.

Doogie

_________________
I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

how long would it take to swap a block out, in hours, for a decent mini mechanic (How much should I pay?)

_________________
1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com

Doggie
Firstly, do you have a replacement block and what condition is it in ??
Secondly, what shape is the cylinder head in ??
What shap is the coolant system in ???

Something caused these events to happen and its may be a wild speculation but it looks very much like a boiled dry and added cold water type of event but some time back. Any mechanic worth his / her salt will want those others things asked about above before they start the job because there is just no satisfaction is whacking together an assembly knowing its going to go wrong again.

Also, intervention always finds other problems, leaking oil seals, stretched timing chains, oily and worn clutchs and you also need a full engine gasket kit.

The actual time to do a swap over - well by myself (with my wife helping ) I have done it several times in about 10-12 hours. A year a team of five people did a block swap from go to whoa for an ausmini bloke in about five hours actual work time.

Work on about $200 for bits and pieces as they are needed and labour at about $75 an hour - remember problems along the way add both parts costs and labour time and costs. The above does not include any recondition work or radiator work.

Many Ausmini people have spare powerplants (engine and gearbox together) sitting in their sheds etc. You may find that that is a cheaper and more efficient way to go. Place an ad in the wanted section.

The head is brand new as I thought I had fried it instead of the block, the block got rebored about 7-8months ago.

Everything (ie, water pump, oil pump, timing chain, clutch, etc, got swapped out about 8 months ago.

I did a coolant change and one of the hoses flew off, it was pouring rain and I thought I'd make it to a servo, which I did, waited about 10mins then switched the car on and added water very slowly and voila, cooked block.

I've put an add in the wanted section but havent had a response, the box in my car went quite well. The car is going for sale once fixed as I've had enough.

_________________
1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com

Mate, don't lose heart. I feel for you but one of the joys of owning a mini is be prepared to work on it. All of us have been through this.

One of the Geelong guys recently picked up an engine for $750 or so. We still have to put it on his gear box and drop it into his car, but organise a 'Garage Day' and you will be surprised at the offers of help from your fellow mini enthusiasts.

Cheers

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

Rodney

the funny thing is my Clubman looks exactly like your pic, purple and all. If only it was going.

Made a few enquires today, might be getting a second hand motor for $500 so fingers crossed.

_________________
1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com